This Original Series Episode Is a "Touchstone" for Star Trek: Discovery

After J.J. Abrams' Kelvin universe failed to please most Star Trek fans (with the possible exception of Star Trek Beyond), Star Trek: Discovery is really pushing its connections to the Prime universe, and especially the original series. Now, showrunner Bryan Fuller has revealed a specific episode that serves as a "touchstone" for the series, and may provide insight into the show's storylines.

"Balance of Terror," the fifteenth episode of the first season of TOS, introduced Romulans into the universe, as well as the Romulan War, which has been referenced many times on the series but never depicted onscreen. Bryan Fuller has previously stated that the inciting incident of Discovery was referenced on TOS but never explored, and that it's actually not the Romulan War, but that's "close."

So what could it be? It's likely an event that's connected to the Romulan War, and it's probably safe to say that it's definitely connected to Romulans in general. We'll just have to see when Discovery premieres in early 2017 on CBS All Access.